Alleged Forgery: Court Grants Mike Ozekhome, Co-Defendant ₦10m Bail Each

Alleged Forgery: Court Grants Mike Ozekhome, Co-Defendant ₦10m Bail Each

The High Court of the Federal Capital Territory sitting in Maitama has granted ₦10 million bail each to senior lawyer Mike Ozekhome (SAN) and his co-defendant, Ponfa Useni, following their arraignment on a 12-count charge bordering on alleged forgery and fraudulent documentation.

Justice Chizoba Oji admitted the defendants to bail on Friday after they pleaded not guilty to all the charges filed by the Office of the Attorney General of the Federation.

The prosecution alleged that the defendants forged several documents, including an international passport and an irrevocable power of attorney, which were allegedly used to lay claim to a London property said to have been unlawfully procured by the late Jeremiah Useni.

According to the charge, the disputed documents were allegedly presented as genuine to assert ownership over the foreign property, an act the prosecution said contravenes Nigeria’s criminal laws on forgery and false representation.

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During the bail hearing, prosecuting counsel Rotimi Oyedepo (SAN) informed the court that the prosecution did not oppose the bail applications. The applications were moved by Tayo Oyetibo (SAN) for Ozekhome and F R Onoja (SAN) for Useni.

In her ruling, Justice Oji ordered that each defendant must provide one surety in like sum of ₦10 million, with the surety owning verifiable property within the Federal Capital Territory. The court also directed both defendants to deposit their international passports with the court registry.

The judge noted that because the proceedings took place on a Friday, the defendants would be allowed to return home if unable to perfect their bail conditions immediately. However, they were ordered to report back to court on Monday to complete the bail process, failing which they would be remanded in prison custody.

The matter was adjourned to a later date for the commencement of trial, as the court prepares to hear evidence on the alleged forgery and the circumstances surrounding the disputed London property.

The case has attracted public interest due to Ozekhome’s standing as a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, constitutional lawyer, and human rights activist, as well as the cross-border nature of the alleged property transaction.

Alleged Forgery: Court Grants Mike Ozekhome, Co-Defendant ₦10m Bail Each